Born:
June 2, 1857
Birthplace:
Broadheath, a small village in Worcester
Died:
February 23, 1934
Also Known As:
Music teacher, conductor, English composer of Romantic music known for his melodic music. He was also called Sir Edward Elgar.
Type of Compositions:
Elgar wrote
cantatas,
oratorios, song cycles, patriotic music,
symphony, choral and orchestral pieces,
chamber music, also music for a children's play (The Starlight Express, 1915) and a
ballet (The Sanguine Fan, 1917).
Influence:
Although Elgar was for the most part self-taught, his father; who was a piano tuner and run a music shop in Worcester, was a huge influence on him. Elgar played a variety of musical instruments, including the organ and violin. His wife; Caroline Alice Roberts, was a strong support system to Elgar and when she died in 1920, Elgar was deeply affected both emotionally and artistically.
Notable Works:
Among his works are "Falstaff" (1913), "Variations on an Original Theme" (1899), "The Dream of Gerontius," "Symphony No. 1 in A flat," "King Olaf" (1896), "Caractacus" (1898), "Froissart" (1890), "Imperial March" (1897), "Sea Pictures" (1899), "The Apostles" (1903), "The Kingdom" (1906), "Violin Concerto in B minor" (1910), "Cockaigne," "Pomp and Circumstance Marches," "In the South," "The Spirit of England," "Symphony No. 2 in E flat," "Violin Sonata in E minor," "String Quartet in E minor," "Piano Quintet in A minor" and "Cello Concerto in E minor."
Interesting Facts:
In 1904, an Edward Elgar festival was held in Covent Garden. Elgar was also knighted by King Edward VII that same year. He became Knight Commander of the Victorian Order in 1928. The "Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands" is a collection of poems written by Elgar's wife which he set to music.
Music Sample:
Listen to selected compositions by
Edward Elgar from the Elgar Society website.
